TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2007) ? After jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, the No. 22/23 ranked University of South Florida softball team could not hold off Western Kentucky from scoring and lost 4-3 in the Best Western Tournament Championship game on Sunday.
The Bulls' offense started strong in the bottom of the first inning, getting runners on first and second base. Junior transfer Courtney Mosch continued the trend of the previous two days and hit a three-run blast over the left-field fence, giving USF a 3-0 lead.
Western Kentucky (3-2) quickly made it a one run game, 3-2, scoring in the third and fourth inning. A leadoff double and a stolen base put a Hilltopper runner at third and a sacrifice fly drove the runner home in the third. In the fourth, another leadoff hit came back to hurt the Bulls, as the runner eventually scored on a ground out.
The tides changed in the fifth inning as the Hilltoppers took control of the game with a 4-3 lead. With the bases loaded, a RBI single by Alana Towns scored the equalizer and a sacrifice fly by Ashley Contreras scored the go-ahead run.
USF (3-2) had its best chance to regain the lead in the sixth inning, but couldn't capitalize. With one out on the board, consecutive singles to shallow left and right field by Danielle Urbanik and Mosch put the tying and go-ahead run on. With two outs to work with to even the score, WKU pitcher Ryan Rogge shut down the final two USF batters, getting a fly out and a strikeout to end the inning.
In the seventh, Rogge retired the side on two Ks and a ground out for the tournament championship.
Bree Spence got the start for USF and pitched three innings, scattering five hits while giving up two runs, only one of which was earned. Mosch (0-1) came in relief to pitch one and one-third innings and was credited with the loss after she allowed two runs on two hits.
Rogge improved her record to 2-1 on the year with the complete-game victory. She registered six strikeouts and only gave up five hits in seven innings.
The Bulls continue their homestand on Wednesday when they welcome in-state foe Florida to the USF Softball Field. The first game of the doubleheader is set to take place at 2 p.m.
